Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Kenny
During his stint in the "Battle of the Bulge" and 1944-45 tour of Europe courtesy of a rich uncle SAM. My Dad and cronies captured quite a few German vehicles and put them into use; one of which was a Mercedes 540k, they would use to scrounge the countryside for food to keep German prisoners well fed. They used that 540k like a pick-up truck filling it with live chickens, cabbages, turnips, and anything else that could be consumed.
My Dad said the big Mercedes rode and drove like a truck; powerful when you stepped on the gas, but that was all. It was a real handful to drive and took some muscles to steer and and stop the thing. He said is was quite crude compared to American cars of the same era.
They put some kublewagens to use but had to abandon them because they couldn't keep up with the American vehicles. (The Germans may have abandoned them because they were worn out;... 2 cylinders.)
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Interesting.
The German cars may have been designed for the Autobahn which meant all paved roads, and for fast running on paved roads a firmer suspension and quicker steering would be good, battlefield conditions would make the American cars (if designed for non paved roads) a lot more comfortable.
Just my conjecturing. I have not seen such thoughts in print.
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.
[SIGPIC]
..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.